cakap cakap : Hubris, cockiness and arrogance rules in Malaysia

Are there people living in Malaysia today who still think they can get away with murder? Are there people still in Malaysia who do as they like with impunity because they consider themselves outside the law? If your father is the Prime Minister or you are the son of a Sultan, will the authorities hesitate to go after you when you have done wrong and broken the law of the land? The simple answer to that is “YES!” The authorities will say they treat everyone equally. The public will insists that wealth, rank and who you are, matters! And then all the arguments will descend into a babble of arguments for and against these issues that will be lost as everyone talks and nobody listens…and everyone listens but nobody hears! Hubris, cockiness and arrogance rules in Malaysia and this was brought to my attention last night while watching Kevin Rudd, then Prime Minister of Australia who was a guest on a TV program, Q and A for an hour of unscripted and live Q & A from an animated audience.

This marvelously disrespectful culture that is Australia was much in evidence. Except for a few “Mr Prime Minister”….everyone else addresses the prime Minister by his first name “Kevin” and then proceeded to tell “Kevin” exactly what they wanted to say without fear or favor. How refreshing is it to be able to stand face to face with your Prime Minister and tell him what you think of him? In Australia, you address the Prime Minister by his first name and nobody bats an eyelid! You can call him a bloody fool, but be ready for his retort, for most of them can give as good as they get!